The Chairman of Funtua Local Government Area in Katsina State, Hon. Abdu Goya, has launched a peace outreach to armed Fulani groups that have agreed to a truce with local communities.
SaharaReporters said Goya’s visits across parts of Funtua were intended to consolidate ongoing peace efforts between Hausa communities and the armed Fulani groups, foster mutual understanding, rebuild trust and reinforce dialogue. Goya also used the meetings to press for the release of people abducted in past attacks, sources said.
The outreach comes amid heightened diplomatic tension following reports of a possible U.S. threat of sanctions and Nigeria’s designation as a “country of particular concern.”
The move follows a deadly raid in Doguwar Dorawa, a farming community near Guga in Bakori Local Government Area, where two community leaders—brothers Alhaji Bishir and Alhaji Surajo—were killed and several residents were abducted during a night attack. Community members told SaharaReporters the assailants arrived on motorcycles around 10pm, left the bikes in the bush, and entered the village on foot, operating for more than an hour to kill, loot and abduct people.
Residents said the attackers are believed to be loyalists of bandit leaders Idi Abasu Aiki and Kwashen Garwa. While Doguwar Dorawa was attacked, Layin ‘Yannehu was simultaneously raided and several animals were rustled.
Similar incidents have been reported in Ganjar, Alhazawa and Gidan Nagari in recent weeks, with community sources saying more than 40 people have been abducted and several families displaced.
Goya told local sources the objective of his visit was to deepen the peace process already under way between armed Fulani groups and Hausa communities and to secure the safe release of those taken during the violence.
